Cant' figure out what happened to my tremolo/bridge ~~~

[enigma]

So, I'm playing my CU24 and after I used the trem bar (lightly) I felt the whole bridge "drop down" as if something got loose. Next thing, all my strings are one step down and out of tune.

I tuned it back up and noticed that, this time, when I try to bring the trem bar in an up position, it doesn't budge; it only goes down a la some Fender Stratocaster trems. Turns out the whole bridge is very close to the body.

What happened here?

 

[alantig]

Knife edge out of the groove?

 

[enigma]

Knife edge out of the groove?

I think so ....

 

[GC Ron]

Did you do a string change before it happened?

 

[enigma]

Did you do a string change before it happened?

Yes, a couple of days ago.

 

[Shawn@PRS]

slacken string tension, make sure the fulcrum screws are all the same height and put the knife edge back on the screw ledges. It should be fine.

 

[enigma]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to bring it back to GC and have them fix this since I've never had this experience before, and learn from the tech for future reference.

 

[jfb]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to bring it back to GC and have them fix this since I've never had this experience before, and learn from the tech for future reference.

Probably a good idea. Keep us posted.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

+1000 on Shawn's advice - slacken (or remove) string tension on ANY PRS trem (Core, S2, SE) before you do any work to / adjustments on it.

Enigma - guess it depends on the skill of the GC tech - most folks s/b able to reseat the trem back on the screws - anything beyond that, make sure you take it to someone who knows what they are doing (PTC or trusted, reputed 3rd party).

I used to be scared, but after reading pretty much everything there is out there on the subject, and taking things really slowly and carefully, I have brought the trems on 2 of my used CEs back to factory spec (floating 1mm) - the previous owners had them way too low, and it was bothering me.

 

[enigma]

+1000 on Shawn's advice - slacken (or remove) string tension on ANY PRS trem (Core, S2, SE) before you do any work to / adjustments on it.

Enigma - guess it depends on the skill of the GC tech - most folks s/b able to reseat the trem back on the screws - anything beyond that, make sure you take it to someone who knows what they are doing (PTC or trusted, reputed 3rd party).

I used to be scared, but after reading pretty much everything there is out there on the subject, and taking things really slowly and carefully, I have brought the trems on 2 of my used CEs back to factory spec (floating 1mm) - the previous owners had them way too low, and it was bothering me.

So, the official factory spec for CU24 and CE24 trem is 1 mm? The tech at this particular GC has the best reputation and previously worked at a famous Guitar Shop in the NYC area.

BTW, I only changed strings on my CU24 before this happened. The only reason I could think of is that I went from a 9 to a 10 gauge. Still, I've done this many times, and this is my first experience with this happening. Good thing it happened during practice!

 

[enigma]

FIXED! Plus, it received a great set up! Plays even better now. Excellent GC service at Paramus, NJ. The tech there is one of the better ones out there (his name is Gil).

 

[justmund]

Good result!

The actual spec is closer to 1.6mm (1/16" = 1.56mm). I use a piece of 1.6mm aluminium to set my bridge height.

http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/bridges.html

 

[Michael B]

sweet..glad you got it sorted out!

 

[Egads]

Glad to hear. That's a beautiful CU (as is your green CE!).

 

[enigma]

Good result!

The actual spec is closer to 1.6mm (1/16" = 1.56mm). I use a piece of 1.6mm aluminium to set my bridge height.

http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/bridges.html

Thanks for that! Actually, the tech told me he didn't need (nor want) to know the specs. I was a bit worried until I tried out his work - 'nuff said!

 

[enigma]

Glad to hear. That's a beautiful CU (as is your green CE!).

Thanks! I am especially happy with these 2 purchases (as you can tell)!

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Thanks guys for correcting me on the trem height. I panicked for a second...my brain was thinking 16ths (what my ruler is) but my hands went with mm.

The guys @ GC Paramus are generally pretty good to deal with - that's where my 408 Brazzy came from when they were having their 49th anniversary sale over the summer.

That's a some nice-a flame up close...

 

[enigma]

Thanks guys for correcting me on the trem height. I panicked for a second...my brain was thinking 16ths (what my ruler is) but my hands went with mm.

The guys @ GC Paramus are generally pretty good to deal with - that's where my 408 Brazzy came from when they were having their 49th anniversary sale over the summer.

That's a some nice-a flame up close...

Good to see a fellow NJ member here! Here's a store pic that shows the flame a bit better:

 

[Tag]

Good to see a fellow NJ member here!

Agree. That makes at least three of us!
:rock:

 

[enigma]

Agree. That makes at least three of us!
:rock:

Nice! I'm sure there's a quite a few more!